All the usual disclaimers etc at the start of Chapter 1

There was one thing wolf and man could say at a time like this.

"Here kitty, kitty …."

Silence.

What was he expecting? Minerva to come in wearing those heels that screamed "vixen" and demanding they begin their duel or some other kind of physical activity? Hardly.

The winsome witch was only distracting him for as long as it took to allow Hermione to have her birthday and be able to romance Severus legally. He had his suspicions confirmed the minute she pulled that stunt in the staff meeting.

After Hermione's birthday, who knew what would happen? She would probably drop him faster than a hot potato. No one freely loved a wolf. They were friends with them but never more. A failed romance with Tonks bore testimony to that.

Wolves were loners by nature and he thought he could remain true to his inner species during Minerva's rather tactical assault on his heart. .

It appeared she had really and truly started to get seriously under his fur, a lot like a flea really. The only difference was Minerva created a more pleasant kind of itch and he didn't want to scratch.

This had to be settled and soon. Sod Severus and Hermione – what was going on between him and Minerva was starting to require more of a resolution that stopping the romantic wrong that was going on in the dungeons.

Where in the wizarding world was he anyway?

Some kind of well decorated yet comfortable looking cottage near the ocean if the view from a window was any guide.

An envelope leaning against a ceramic baby elephant ornament caught his eye. This little kitty did like to play.

"Wasn't a squeaky mouse enough for you Minerva? Baby elephants now …you must have been inspired. What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Dear Remus

Don't bother trying to dismantle the apparition wards around the cottage or the gardens because they are set to recognize my magic only.

So yes, wolfman you are stuck. Get over it and get used to it.

You will be here until the early hours of September 20 or I think you are making sense that Severus and Hermione deserve a chance – whichever comes first.

Stop pouting about missing Hermione's birthday celebrations – I have made arrangements for an account at Flourish and Blotts to be set up for her with a note explaining you and I are her benefactors.

So in the meantime, enjoy the fully stocked kitchen and wine cellar

Play nicely now

Minerva"

"Minerva Nimue McGonagall! The minute I see you witch, all of your nine lives are in real jeopardy!"

The waves against the cliff swallowed Lupin's rant and cast it to the winds. So peeved was Remus, he didn't notice the grey tabby on the windowsill that preened for a moment or two, stretched and leaped down to the flowerbeds.